Spotify adds AI-powered Recap button to select English audiobooks on iOS
Spotify is testing a new AI‑driven tool that lets listeners catch up on a story without rewinding an entire chapter. The feature, tucked into the iOS version of the service, appears only on a handful of English‑language titles for now, but the company says it intends to broaden the offering over time. Listeners who are midway through a novel can tap a button and receive a concise summary generated by the platform’s language models, a move that could smooth the transition between long listening sessions.
It’s a modest step toward integrating generative AI into the audio‑book experience, yet the limited rollout raises questions about how quickly the functionality will reach the broader catalog. Here’s what Spotify says about the rollout:
"The Recap button will show up automatically on some English-language audiobooks in the iOS app. Recaps will be available automatically in the iOS app for a limited number of English-language audiobooks, with plans to expand to more audiobooks in an unspecified time frame. While the Recap button is a"
The Recap button will show up automatically on some English-language audiobooks in the iOS app. Recaps will be available automatically in the iOS app for a limited number of English-language audiobooks, with plans to expand to more audiobooks in an unspecified time frame. While the Recap button is always present on supported titles, you will have to listen to more than 15-20 minutes of the audiobook to get a summary, according to the Spotify blog post on the feature.
After that, Recaps will be "regularly updated" as you progress through the audiobook. It's "designed to help people finish the books they start," the company says in the blog. Markert called the feature "an audio bookmark that speaks" in the company blog.
As sophisticated as it is smart, this feature is a must for any audiobook lovers out there." Spotify made clear that Recaps uses AI, but maintains that the original works -- including the book content and voice narration -- remain protected. "We are not using audiobook content for LLM training purposes or voice generation, and Recaps do not replicate narration or replace the original audiobook in any way," Spotify's research director of LLMs, Paul Bennett, wrote in the blog post.
Will listeners find the AI‑driven Recap useful, or will it feel like an unnecessary gimmick? Spotify’s new Recap button automatically appears on a limited set of English‑language audiobooks in its iOS app, offering a brief summary of what users have already heard. The feature is framed as a “previously on” segment, aiming to save listeners from rewinding.
For now, only a handful of titles receive the button, and Spotify has not disclosed how many or which books are included. Plans to roll the capability out to additional audiobooks are mentioned, but no timeline is given, leaving the scope of the rollout uncertain. The AI behind the summaries is described only in broad terms, so the accuracy and relevance of the recaps remain to be evaluated.
As the button appears without user prompting, it could streamline the listening experience, yet it may also interrupt the narrative flow for some users. Ultimately, the true impact of Spotify’s Recap will depend on how well the AI captures key plot points and whether listeners deem the convenience worth the trade‑off.
Further Reading
- Spotify adds a new, less repetitive shuffle, plus audiobook recaps - TechCrunch
- Spotify is adding recaps for audiobooks - Engadget
- Introducing Audiobook Recaps, a New Way to Reengage With Your Story - Spotify Newsroom
- Spotify's latest free update is so cunning, I'm amazed it's not been done before - T3
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Common Questions Answered
When does the Recap button become available for a listener on Spotify's iOS audiobook app?
The Recap button appears automatically on supported English-language audiobooks, but listeners must have played more than 15‑20 minutes of the title before a summary can be generated. This requirement ensures enough content has been consumed to produce a meaningful recap.
What type of content does Spotify's AI‑powered Recap button summarize?
The Recap button provides a concise summary of the portion of the audiobook that the user has already heard. It uses Spotify's language models to create a brief “previously on” segment, helping listeners catch up without rewinding the entire chapter.
Is the Recap feature currently available for all Spotify audiobooks on iOS?
No, the Recap button is limited to a handful of English-language titles in the iOS app. Spotify has not disclosed the exact number or titles, but it plans to expand the offering to more audiobooks over an unspecified time frame.
How does Spotify intend to expand the AI‑driven Recap functionality in the future?
Spotify says it intends to broaden the Recap feature to include more English-language audiobooks, though it has not provided a specific timeline. The rollout will likely follow the initial testing phase on iOS before potentially reaching other platforms.